Baked potatoes with cheese and bacon

🥔 Baked Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon

🥓 Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes

• 6–8 slices bacon

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 green onions, chopped

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Olive oil (for rubbing)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

2. Prepare potatoes:

   • Scrub potatoes clean, then prick them a few times with a fork.

   • Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

   • Place directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet.

   • Bake for 45–60 minutes until skins are crispy and a fork slides in easily.

3. Cook bacon:

   • While potatoes bake, cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.

   • Drain on paper towels, then crumble.

4. Prepare potatoes for filling:

   • Once potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice each potato in half lengthwise.

   • Scoop out most of the flesh into a bowl, leaving a thin layer so skins hold shape.

5. Mix filling:

   • To the scooped potato, add butter, sour cream, half the cheese, half the bacon, salt, and pepper.

   • Mix until creamy.

6. Stuff and bake:

   • Spoon the filling back into potato skins.

   • Top with remaining cheese and bacon.

   • Return to oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes until cheese melts and turns bubbly.

7. Garnish:

   • Sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.

🍽️ Serve with:

• A crisp green salad

• Steamed veggies

• Your favorite dipping sauces